Washington, D.C
‘Hey, Meta. What’s in front of me?’ How AI glasses are changing a blind DC woman’s life
AI glasses let users take videos, stream music and capture everyday moments. For people who are blind and visually impaired, they can be a lifeline.
A native Washingtonian declared legally blind at birth showed News4 how the glasses are changing her life.
Chrichelle Brown is fiercely independent. She rides Metro, takes the bus and shops for groceries. On her own, she can see people and objects but not details. Using AI glasses, she has access to a lot more.
Originally designed for streaming and capturing video, members of the blind community quickly discovered another use. With a simple voice command, the glasses’ built-in camera, microphone and speakers let users talk with an AI assistant that can identify objects, read text and describe surroundings.
“It changes a lot. I’m even able to get descriptions. As I mentioned, I don’t see detail, so being able to ask, ‘Hey Meta, what’s in front of me?’ —it can give me extreme detail, up to what someone’s design is on their shirt,” Brown explained.
Without the glasses, she could see a News4 reporter’s shadow. With them, she knew she was wearing a white sweater and light-colored pants and has blonde hair and light eyes.
Brown teaches others how to use AI glasses at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind in Silver Spring. Her three-day monthly seminar is free to the community.
On the day News4 met with her, she invited us along as she and a student, Rose, headed to Starbucks. Brown showed Rose how to ask Meta to read the menu. The glasses instantly described the options out loud. It was a small moment that symbolized something much bigger: independence as she often had to rely on others for help.
The glasses connect to a free app called Be My Eyes, which recently partnered with Meta. It links users to millions of volunteers around the world who can see what they can’t, providing real-time, audible feedback.
“I use them for a lot of things. I use them to sometimes help me pick out certain clothes if I think I want them to match a certain way,” Brown said. “If I’m at the store and they can’t find a representative, I will use Be My Eyes to get a volunteer to help me find the specific items at a grocery store.”
She said she’s careful not to rely on AI alone.
“Hey, Meta: How many steps?” Rose asked Brown. “What if this thing tells me there are no steps but there is steps?”
Brown told her to hold on to the railing.
“I always tell people that, you know, when I’m teaching a class, that these glasses are meant to enhance your independence but not replace the services and the knowledge that you have gained from taking the other classes,” she said.
Meta said its goal is to make the glasses more accessible. As the technology improves, advocates hope they’ll continue breaking barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired.
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WASHINGTON (7News) — D.C. Fire and EMS crews are responding early Thursday morning to a boat fire at James Creek Marina in Southwest D.C.
Around 5 a.m., crews said they were called to the marina in the 2100 block of 2nd Street SW, where one boat was found fully engulfed in flames.
D.C. Fire and EMS crews are responding early Thursday morning, April 30, 2026, to a boat fire at James Creek Marina in Southwest D.C. (DC Fire and EMS)
SEE ALSO | Man airlifted after vehicle crashes into tree in Prince George’s County
Firefighters launched a two-pronged attack, using both land-based units and two fireboats to bring the blaze under control.
D.C. Fire and EMS crews are responding early Thursday morning, April 30, 2026, to a boat fire at James Creek Marina in Southwest D.C. (DC Fire and EMS)
Authorities said the fire also caused damage to neighboring boats on both sides of the vessel.
No injuries were reported.
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The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Washington, D.C
Suspect in D.C. gala shooting made ‘jarring’ transformation after leading Christian student group
As a clearer timeline emerges leading up to the chaotic shooting at a Washington, D.C., hotel where a gunman tried to assassinate President Donald Trump, the depiction of the suspect as an extremist harboring hate for Christians quickly took shape. But those who knew Cole Tomas Allen in college a decade ago say they saw the opposite: a faithful Christian who pushed a strict interpretation of the Bible.
WASHINGTON – Showers and thunderstorms are likely across the Washington, D.C., region Wednesday, with highs near 68 degrees and a chance for severe weather.
The day begins dry, but cloud cover will keep temperatures in the 50s through the morning.
Rain chances increase around lunchtime, with showers becoming more frequent through the afternoon. Storms may develop later in the day, with activity tapering off into early Thursday.
There is a marginal severe weather threat, with isolated damaging wind gusts or a brief tornado possible, though the overall risk doesn’t look to be that elevated.
Conditions turn drier Thursday, which will be cooler and breezy but sunnier. The weekend starts cool and possibly wet before sunshine returns on Sunday.
Wednesday Weather Timeline (NWS)
Morning (now–noon)
- Dry start with cloudy skies. Temperatures climb through the 50s toward the mid‑60s.
Early afternoon (noon–5 p.m.)
- Showers become more likely. Rain coverage increases through mid‑afternoon. High near 68 with occasional gusts up to 20 mph.
Late afternoon–early evening (5–9 p.m.)
- Showers and possibly a thunderstorm.
Evening (9–11 p.m.)
- Chance of lingering showers and thunderstorms.
Late night (11 p.m.–overnight)
- Turning cooler with a low around 50.
Thursday
- Sunny and breezy with a high near 65.
Hazardous Weather Outlook Wednesday (NWS)
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia.
Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon into the evening. Damaging wind gusts and a brief tornado are the main threats.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the FOX 5 Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
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